The feature-rich 'Dutch Mountains' complex combines high tech and natural building materials and competes somewhat with the world's highest skyscrapers

In recent times, one record followed another in the world of wooden buildings. The ‘Dutch Mountains’ project is one of the latest records in the Netherlands. Up to date, it will become the largest wooden building on our planet and rise up in the Dutch city of Veldhoven which belongs to the region of Eindhoven. The combination of high tech and natural building materials results in a natural atmosphere ensuring an immediate sense of well-being as soon as you move in, without having to waive the service of, for instance, state-of-the-art central building control systems or an energy generating facade.

There is much more than just wood

Switch Between Day and Night

The ‘Dutch Mountains’ complex is not the first wooden record in the Netherlands. Not even two years ago, we reported about the construction of the 21-storey timber tower HAUT in Amsterdam.

… transform the complex into a full-featured green building dream

As the production of wooden materials requires less energy and leads to fewer pollutants compared to common construction materials like steel or concrete, the ‘Dutch Mountains’ can be called a real green building. As the responsible architect firm Vermeulen states, the building materials are non-leachable, reusable and even biodegradable. Additionally, the building use is highly flexible. Thanks to the fully data-driven and experience-directed smart building technology, spaces can be used in different ways with changed functions and needs within a day.

Rendering of the green area in the center of the ‘Dutch Mountains’ (Studio Marco Vermeulen)

Dutch Mountains In The City Of Veldhoven

The elongated ‘Dutch Mountains’ building will provide spaces for offices, a hotel, various conference centers, a parking lot and more. The large park in the center of the wooden project is a real enrichment in addition to the sustainable structure. It provides seating areas, a pond, walking trails and, of course, greenery. Even sheep, responsible for the maintenance, are part of the park.

A Wooden Structured High Tech Complex

And there is much more than mentioned above. The designer’s vision is a self-sufficient green complex. A naturally ventilated and illuminated parking garage, with solar generators equipped facades, a rooftop pool for swimming and firefighting in an emergency case, grey water purifying wetlands, a rainwater utilization system and the integrated geothermal power station transform the complex into a full-featured green building dream.

CleanEnviro Summit Singapore 2018 takes place in Marina Bay Sands

If you are a cleantech enthusiast and visiting Singapore in July 2018, you probably can’t afford to miss the CleanEnviro Summit Singapore (CESS) 2018. The fourth biennial CleanEnviro Summit Singapore will be held from 8 to 12 July 2018 and an opportunity to discover latest trends in the fields of waste management, cleaning, pest management sustainable energy and pollution control. Just the right place for participants ranging from environmental scientists to everyone who is concerned and interested in clean environment and health friendly cities.

In fact, it’s not just a phrase when the Singaporean government states “From a ‘Garden City’ to a ‘City in a Garden’”. Indeed, there are enough project examples, initiatives, symbols and other efforts proving how serious they are about sustainable urbanization. For instance, Singapore’s first dual-mode desalination plant, appearing like appearing like a city park, desalinates 137,000 cubic meters daily. Some months ago, researchers at the Singapore-ETH Centre’s Future Cities Laboratory came up with the novel idea of using Google Street View to map and investigate the ecosystem of Singapore. The autonomous taxi nuTonomy, the fact that green buildings are mandatory since 2008, the Skyrise Greenery Incentive Scheme, the Maritime Singapore Green Initiative or the 18 Supertrees in Gardens by the Bay are just a few more examples. The results are certainly something to be proud of. In 2016, Singapore is ranked in second place of the world’s most sustainable cities according to the Sustainable Cities Index 2016.

But let’s get back to the CleanEnviro Summit Singapore. Climate change and weather condition have witnessed a steady decrease in recent times, due to industrial growth and expansion as well as break out of new urban cities. The CleanEnviro Summit Singapore seeks to partner with every critical stakeholder in the environmental sector to achieve its objectives.

CleanEnviro Summit Singapore 2017 (CleanEnviro Summit Singapore)

CleanEnviro Summit Singapore 2017 (CleanEnviro Summit Singapore)

During the summit, issues affecting climate change, global warming, environmental challenges, waste, energy sources and much more will be discussed by experts from 8 to 12 July 2018 – in conjunction with the World Cities Summit and the Singapore International Water Week. The summit also provides forums and workshops to discuss critical environmental challenges. State actors and non-state actors meet at round tables to find lasting solutions to global environmental issues. Ideas on how to solve environmental challenges will also be shared in practical and applicable ways.

Venue of CleanEnviro Summit Singapore 2018: Marina Bay Sands

Who should attend this summit? Anyone who wants to know how to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability. Also stakeholders from developing countries who seek to address the overwhelming environmental problems they face, and world-leading or highly industrialized countries who seek to control environmental pollution, improve wastewater treatment and promote resource efficiency can establish international contacts with other key players.

Furthermore, issues affecting areas of potential growth in waste management sector will be adequately addressed. Waste management constitutes one of the most challenging environmental issue globally. The summit in Singapore will feature state of the art solutions to bio and solid waste management, and explore an integrated technical approach to zero waste and recovery of resources.

Why is this environmental summit in Singapore different from others? To sum up, it is unique in the sense that it covers a wide range of environmental challenges but also takes place in a cosmopolitan and industrialized city aspiring to be an international frontrunner in sustainable urbanization and cleantech. A city that leads with plenty green examples and promotes global best practices in its approach.

CleanEnviro Summit Singapore 2017 (CleanEnviro Summit Singapore)

CleanEnviro Summit Singapore 2017 (CleanEnviro Summit Singapore)

Another aspect that should not be forgotten will be the discussion on sustainable energy solutions to decrease carbon dioxide emissions. The summit will also discuss the way forward and which shifts can be performed to reduce the dependence on fossil fuel.

The next CleanEnviro Summit Singapore, held from 8 to 12 July 2018, takes place in Marina Bay Sands able to host more than 45,000 delegates. A critical event for all global players in the clean environment struggle and healthy ecosystem movement.